Flex That Worx

Baseworx

Welcome to Flex That Worx, a podcast for anyone building, managing or growing a flexible workspace without making things more complicated than they need to be. If you're running a single coworking space, juggling multiple locations, or overseeing a growing network of spaces across towns or cities, this is your space. It’s for the operators, managers, decision-makers, the people doing the work to make these places run. Each week, we’ll share focused, no-fluff episodes with practical insights on how to run a better workspace. We’re talking about smoother operations, happier members, stronger systems, and sustainable growth. Think of it as your shortcut to learning what actually works. At Baseworx, we work from coworking spaces ourselves. We see the wins, the mess, and everything in between. This podcast is a way for us to share what we’re learning, chatting with the people doing good work in this industry and helping you simplify how you scale. Episodes are short, so you can fit them into your week easily. You’ll hear from workspace operators, industry experts, and our team. No jargon, no filler. Just useful ideas you can actually apply. If that sounds like your kind of thing, hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. You can also find us on LinkedIn, YouTube, or check out free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co  Thanks for listening. This is Flex That Worx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful. Flex That Worx is powered by Baseworx

  1. 6D AGO

    Building a Coworking Leadership Model That Lasts with Claire Carpenter | S2 EP11

    Running a coworking space is not easy! It involves signing long leases in a market that behaves month to month. It’s about managing rising expectations, rising costs and a future that feels harder to predict every year. In this episode of Flex That Worx, we sit down with Claire Carpenter, who has seen coworking evolve from handwritten membership forms and direct hustling to integrated platforms, AI conversations and operators scaling to multiple locations. Practical Takeaways for Operators Protect your own energy as a leaderEnsure your tech stack is saving you time & adding valueAudit your pricing against rising operational costsDefine your core audience clearlyThis isn’t a hype-filled future of work discussion. It’s a grounded conversation about what leadership actually looks like when you’re the one carrying the risk. We talk about sustaining yourself over the long haul, navigating a growing transactional member base, designing community into your strategy and using technology properly, not just collecting subscriptions. If you’re building a workspace you want to still be proud of in ten years time, this episode will feel very real. Connect with Claire and learn more about her work at Claire Carpenter Coaching hereThanks for tuning in to Flex That Worx! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow or subscribe where-ever you get your podcasts so you don't miss our next episode. Connect with us on LinkedIn: GrahamAnne-MarieWatch the full episode on our YouTube, explore free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co. This is Flex That Worx powered by Baseworx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful!

    35 min
  2. FEB 17

    Define Your Ideal Coworking Member Before You Define Your Marketing | S2 EP10

    You can be busy with tours and still feel stuck. People come in, they like the space, they compliment the atmosphere and then they leave until you hear later that they have chosen not to become a member. A reason we hear often from coworking operators is price. In this episode of Flex That Worx, we break down this frustration properly instead of rushing to fix it with discounts & how marketing is a key part to understanding who you actually serve best.  We talk about: What happens when marketing starts with platforms instead of peopleThe difference between speaking to a remote worker paying from their own pocket and speaking to an employer deciding where their team should workHow the message changes when you understand who is actually holding the budgetWe also get into the practical marketing side such as how your website might be quietly blocking bookings, mission statements that overshadow the transaction and can result in nobody hearing or joining you on that mission & how social media can feel busy but not providing the value you need from it. There is a pressure to be everywhere for coworking spaces when it comes to marketing, we discuss how important clarity and consistency are over high volume of different activities. At the end of the episode, we speak about retention. Even at high occupancy, members always have alternatives. Working from home, trying somewhere new or changing routines. Marketing does not stop when desks are filled, it can become a lever to reinforcing value. If you are questioning where to focus your marketing next, this episode brings it back to something simple. Thanks for tuning in to Flex That Worx! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow or subscribe where-ever you get your podcasts so you don't miss our next episode. Connect with us on LinkedIn: GrahamAnne-MarieWatch the full episode on our YouTube, explore free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co. This is Flex That Worx powered by Baseworx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful!

    22 min
  3. FEB 10

    From Strategy to Stories: What Actually Works in Coworking Marketing with Jack Regan of Trend 7 Media | S2 EP9

    Marketing a coworking space is rarely the main job on the list for an operator but it is often the one that determines whether a space grows, stalls or quietly struggles. In this episode of Flex That Worx, we’re joined by Jack Regan from Trend 7 Media for an honest conversation about what actually works when it comes to coworking marketing. Trend 7 Media is a Content Marketing Agency for B2B Tech brands and they have experience helping spaces in the coworking industry with their marketing. We talk about why marketing needs to start with clarity around what your space stands for, how real member stories consistently outperform polished campaigns and why community impact often happens well beyond the walls of your workspace. The conversation also explores practical realities, from driving enquiries in the first 30 days, to staying visible when you’re already close to capacity and avoiding the trap of endless planning that never turns into action. This episode is for coworking and flexible workspace operators who want marketing that feels manageable, human and aligned with how their space actually works. Key themes discussed in this episode for coworking & flexible workspace operators: Why clarity on goals shapes better marketing decisionsHow member stories create trust and connectionWhat community impact looks like in everyday practiceHow consistency builds momentum without chasing perfectionThanks for tuning in to Flex That Worx! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow or subscribe where-ever you get your podcasts so you don't miss our next episode. Connect with us on LinkedIn: GrahamAnne-MarieWatch the full episode on our YouTube, explore free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co. This is Flex That Worx powered by Baseworx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful!

    29 min
  4. FEB 4

    What Coworking Can Learn from the Gym Industry | S2 EP8

    Coworking spaces and gyms tend to be discussed in very different circles but when you stand back and look at both models, they are more alike than we think.  A few similarities we noticed are they both sell memberships, depend on retention and they only work if people actually show up. In this week’s episode of Flex That Worx, Anne-Marie and Graham dig into why gyms have become very good at understanding routine, habit, and real human behaviour and what coworking operators can take from that.  The conversation explores why people keep showing up to spaces that fit into their lives, even when those spaces are not perfect. It challenges the idea that better equipment, better coffee, or more events are what drive engagement, and instead looks at timing, accessibility, confidence, and clarity of purpose. They also unpack the challenges operators need to manage such as intimidating first days for new members, over-engineered onboarding, serving very different people in the same space, and the mistake of assuming community can be manufactured on demand. This is not about turning coworking spaces into gyms. It is about learning from an industry that understands where it sits in people’s lives, and designs around that reality. Key takeaways for coworking and flexible workspace operators: If your space does not fit into someone’s routine, no amount of fancy equipment will fix thatAccessibility and opening hours often matter more than amenitiesOver-structured onboarding can create pressure rather than confidenceOne space can successfully serve different audiences at different timesCommunity is an outcome of environmentExisting members still need support even if they have been there for years Thanks for tuning in to Flex That Worx! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow or subscribe where-ever you get your podcasts so you don't miss our next episode. Connect with us on LinkedIn: GrahamAnne-MarieWatch the full episode on our YouTube, explore free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co. This is Flex That Worx powered by Baseworx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful!

    24 min
  5. JAN 27

    Coworking and the Creator Economy: Are We Serving the New Wave of Solopreneurs? | S2 EP7

    Coworking spaces have traditionally been designed around desks, meetings, and laptop-based work. But a growing group of workers do not fit neatly into that model. In this episode of Flex That Worx, Anne-Marie Murphy and Graham Clarke explore whether coworking spaces are truly set up to support creators, people whose work depends on content, visibility, and personal branding. Creators work differently from traditional freelancers or remote employees. They often need a quiet space at short notice, spaces suitable for filming or recording, and access to equipment that is difficult to justify or maintain at home. Many coworking spaces were never designed with this type of work in mind, which can unintentionally create friction for both operators and members. This episode looks at what it would actually mean to serve creators well, without overengineering your space or compromising your existing business model. The conversation covers practical considerations around layout, sound, equipment, membership structures, and how operators can assess whether this audience makes sense for their location. For coworking and flexible workspace operators thinking about future demand, this episode offers a grounded, realistic look at an audience that is already present in many local markets. Thanks for tuning in to Flex That Worx! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow or subscribe where-ever you get your podcasts so you don't miss our next episode. Connect with us on LinkedIn: GrahamAnne-MarieWatch the full episode on our YouTube, explore free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co. This is Flex That Worx powered by Baseworx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful!

    26 min
  6. JAN 21

    Flex Rewind: The Growing Trend of Niche Coworking & Flexible Workspaces

    In this Flex Rewind episode of Flex That Worx, we take a closer look at why niche coworking and flexible workspace models are gaining momentum, and why clear positioning is becoming critical for operators. Graham Clarke, Anne-Marie Murphy and Joe Averill discuss how flexible work has evolved beyond its early roots in freelancer-led coworking and traditional serviced offices. As remote and hybrid working have reshaped demand, many operators now sit somewhere between the two models, combining flexibility with a more defined workplace experience. As competition increases, the conversation turns to the importance of focus. Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, successful spaces are making deliberate choices about who they are built for, and just as importantly, who they are not. From professionally oriented environments serving legal and financial firms to tightly curated tech communities, niche strategies are emerging as a way to stand out and protect culture. This is a grounded discussion for coworking and flexible workspace operators thinking about positioning, community fit, and long-term sustainability in a crowded market. If you are refining your proposition or questioning how narrow your focus should be, this episode offers practical insight from lived experience. To get the full breakdown of insights, listen to the full episode here Thanks for tuning in to Flex That Worx! If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to follow or subscribe where-ever you get your podcasts so you don't miss our next episode. Connect with us on LinkedIn: GrahamAnne-MarieWatch the full episode on our YouTube, explore free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co. This is Flex That Worx powered by Baseworx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful!

    5 min
  7. 12/18/2025

    Creating People-Centric Coworking & Flex Workspaces with Suzanne Murdock of The Hub Newry | S2 EP4

    What happens when a coworking space is designed around real human needs, not trends or templates? In this episode of Flex That Worx, we sit down with Suzanne Murdock, MD & Co-Founder of The Hub Newry and Coach & Mentor for Micro Business Leaders + Coworking & Flex Space Operators. The Hub Newry is a long-standing coworking space provider based in Newry, Northern Ireland. Suzanne shares how personal experience, starting over, and building a business shaped her approach to coworking from the very beginning. This conversation explores what it really takes to create workspaces that last. From intentional onboarding and member alignment, to balancing flexibility with structure and using technology to protect human connection rather than replace it. This episode is for operators who care about sustainability, retention, and impact, not just filling desks. In this episode, we explore: Why belonging is the foundation of successful coworkingHow long-term relationships outperform short-term growthThe role of onboarding in protecting cultureWhere technology fits in people-first workspace operations To learn more about Suzanne & The Hub Newry, visit:  Powering Productivity PodcastBlogSuzanne’s LinkedInThe Hub Newry InstaThe Hub Newry NewsletterSuzanne’s free download - ’The Quiet Reset' Connect with us on LinkedIn: GrahamAnne-MarieWatch the full episode on our YouTube, explore free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co. This is Flex That Worx powered by Baseworx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful!

    58 min

About

Welcome to Flex That Worx, a podcast for anyone building, managing or growing a flexible workspace without making things more complicated than they need to be. If you're running a single coworking space, juggling multiple locations, or overseeing a growing network of spaces across towns or cities, this is your space. It’s for the operators, managers, decision-makers, the people doing the work to make these places run. Each week, we’ll share focused, no-fluff episodes with practical insights on how to run a better workspace. We’re talking about smoother operations, happier members, stronger systems, and sustainable growth. Think of it as your shortcut to learning what actually works. At Baseworx, we work from coworking spaces ourselves. We see the wins, the mess, and everything in between. This podcast is a way for us to share what we’re learning, chatting with the people doing good work in this industry and helping you simplify how you scale. Episodes are short, so you can fit them into your week easily. You’ll hear from workspace operators, industry experts, and our team. No jargon, no filler. Just useful ideas you can actually apply. If that sounds like your kind of thing, hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss an episode. You can also find us on LinkedIn, YouTube, or check out free tools and resources over at Baseworx.co  Thanks for listening. This is Flex That Worx, scaling your workspace, made simpler and less stressful. Flex That Worx is powered by Baseworx